The non-profit organization SOWUG was established in 2010 by entrepreneurs, youth, and activists to transform communities through ICT development. It provides wireless internet access through a network of highsite towers and hotspots connected by fiber to address social and economic challenges, bridge the digital divide, and create an environment for innovation and entrepreneurship. SOWUG connects public hotspots, small businesses, households and transfers skills to promote internet access, communication services, business support and improved living standards in their community.

3. 1. Who we are
 Non profit organisation
 Established in 2010
 When we started
 Team: Entrepreneurs, youth & activists
 Our community

5. 2. What we do
 Transform communities through ICT Development
 Wireless Network for social & economic development
 Bridge the digital divide
 Make information more accessible & communication more
affordable
 An enabling environment for innovation & entrepreneurship

6. The Digital starts from

7. 3. Why we do it
 To help address social and economic challenges that exist
 To provide innovative solutions that have impact on
communities and small businesses
 To enable people to take advantage of the IOT & the ICT’s
 To ensure that we have smart and forward thinking
communities
 To ease the process of information access and enable rapid
innovation

8. 4. How we do it
 Build partnerships for backhaul & infrastructure
 Connect public hotspots, smme’s & households
 Work with volunteers, youth & entrepreneurs
 Transfer skills to youth, entrepreneurs & graduates
 Leverage on media platforms

10. 5. Community Impact
 Internet related services
 Reducing unemployment
 Platforms for business development & support
 Bringing down the cost of communication
 Improved standards of living, economic and human
development

11. SOWUG NETWORK SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM
DC Teraco DFA FIBRE
Highsite A
Highsite B
User
5,8Ghz
Server Router
User
2014-2016
1 high-site tower connected to fibre
10 hotspots
- 1000 unique devices
- 150 simultaneous daily connections
10 households
10 businesses
2 Sub-station
2017
3 additional substations
10 additional connections

12. 6. Latest developments
 Establishment of 3 more substations
 Acquisition of IP addresses and allocation of an ASN
 NAP Africa peering
 Renewal of Teraco agreement
 Work online bandwidth (50 mbps)
 Increased data usage

13. Thank you, Contact details
Website: www.sowug.org.za (has technical problems)
Twitter: @sowug
Facebook: Soweto Wireless User Group or SOWUG